Ments



' (No Model.)

GQA. GOLBY.

STEAM BOILEE FEEDER.

Patented Aug. '7, 1888.

(No Model.) 2 Shams-wheat 2.

G'. A. COLBY.

STEAM BOILBR FEEDER. A No. 387,553. Patented Aug. '7, 18,88.

UNITED STATES PATENT GILBERT A. COLBY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO M. COCHRAN ARMOUR, OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 387,553, dated August 7, 1888.

Application tiled June 27, 1887. Serial No. ld-2,58%.

To (LM whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GILBERT A. CoLBY, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam Boiler Feeders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked ro thereon, which form a part of this specilication.

This invention relates to water-feeding apparatus of that kind in which the supply of water to the boiler is controlled by means of i5 a oat within the boiler.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is herein shown as applied to 2o a water-tube boiler, or one in which the water is held in a plurality of tubes exposed to the action of the lire, a special chamber oriioat-drum being provided for the float of the apparatus. The main features of the invention may, however, be applied to boilers of other' kinds. The

novel features of construction in the watertube boiler herein shown are described and claimed in a separate application, Serial No. 260,165, filed in the United States Patent Cflice 3o January 9, 1888.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating` my invention, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a boiler constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an end view of the boiler, showing the end thereof which is at the right-hand side of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the same, taken upon line a' t of Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is a detail horizontal section of a float and tube or chanr 4o ber containing the same, taken upon line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detailsection taken upon line a: a; of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail section taken upon line .e .e of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detail section of the end portion of the lioat and adjacent part of the ioat casing or chamber, taken upon line @c x of Fig.v 5. Fig. 8 is a detail section taken upon line x w of Fig. 2, showing devices for supporting the steam-header from the water-head of the boiler.

5o As illustrated in the said drawings, A A' (No model.)

'tubes arranged in an inclined position and connected at their opposite ends with and extending between the water-heads A A'. The tubes B B are located at the lower part ofthe 6c boiler, adjacent to the furnace, so that the water therein is exposed to the most intense heat from the furnace-nre. Above the tubes B B B is located a second series of tubes, C CC, which are arranged horizontally, and are also connected at both ends with the water-heads A A'. Said tubes B B B and C C C, together with the said waterheads A and A', form a closed circuit in which the water is adapted to freely circulate, the water in the inclined 7o tubes B B rising as it is heated and liowing upwardly in said tubes to the water-head A, from which it passes through the horizontal tubes C C backwardly to the water-head A', and then downwardly into the tubes B B B.

The water -head A' terminates a short distance above the level of the pipes C C C; but the head A is extended considerably above said pipes, and connected therewith is a third series of pipes, D D D, located above the pipes Se C C C. At the end of the boiler, adjacent to the water-head A', is located a transverselyarranged horizontal steam chamber or header, E, with which the ends of the several steam pipes or tubes D are connected.

The water-line of the boiler is located at or slightly above the upper Water-pipes, C C C, and the space within the waterhead A, above said pipes C C C, together with the said pipes D D and the header E, form the stcamspacc 9o of the boiler, said pipes D D being exposed to the products of combustion from the furnace and acting as superheating-pipes to dry the steam. Steam is taken from the boiler by means of an exit-pipe, E', connected with the 95 header E, and a safetyyalve, when employed, may be conveniently located upon and connected with the said header E.

In order to afford a direct passage for steam generated in the upper part of the water-head roo A to the steam-header lll, a pipe, E, connects the upper part ol the said water-head A' above the waterline therein with the said header E. inasmuch as there is liable to be more or less relative movement between the header E and thc waterfhcad A', owing to an unequal degree ot" expansion in the pipes D D, connecting said parts with the waterhcad A, I preferably make the pipe E2 of considerable length and dispose it in an inclined position, as clearly shown in Fig. 2,so that it may bend or yield in the movement of the parts without bringing undnestrain upon the pipe or its connections.

rthe header lll in the particular construction thereoi` herein illustrated is formed by an integral casting of' rectangular c1oss-section,the inner verticalside wall of which is apertured to receive the pipes D D,which are secured by being expanded therein in a familiar manner. Said header is provided at its outer surface with holes closed by removable screwplugs c c, which ail'ord access to the tubes for cleaning the same and other purposes.

ln the particular construction of the parts herein shown the pipes D D are arranged in two horizontal rows, with one row above and parallel with the other row, and the header E is provided with a horizontal partition, E, dividing the said header into two parts or chambers connected, respectivcly,with the two sets of pipes. The exit-pipe E' is connected with the header at one end of the latter. Said header is provided at its end at which the exit-pipe is attached with an npwardly-cxtending part or dome, E', beneath which is located a vertical partition, c', forming an extension ofthe partition lll, said vertical partition being extended past the partition li downwardlyto the bottom wall ol' thehcader. Said partition e prevents the direct liow ol` steam toward the steam-exit pipe and causes the said steam to pass upwardly through the said elevated part l" before it passes out through said exit-pipe. The partition E terminates short of the end wall of the header, at the end ot' thc latter remote from the eXit-pipe,whcre by the steam entering the lower part of the header D from the lower row of steam-pipes D is caused to pass beneath the partition E to the end ol' the header and then around the end of said partition and upwardly into the upper compartment of the header, l'rom which it makes its escape over the partition c' with the steam from the upper row ol` pipes, as clearly shown in the drawings, Fig. 2. The object of the partitions lil and e' is to cause the steam to tahean indirect conrsein its passage tothe exit-pipe, so as to effect the separation of water `from the steam and thus insure the passage ol' perfectly dry steam from the boiler.

l have herein shown theheaderE aslocatcd immediately over and as supported by the water-head A'. To provide for any shifting or sliding ot' the header upon the water-head, as is liable to occur by reason of unequal eXpansion ol" the tubes,as hcrcinbetore stated,l have herein shown as placed between said waterhead A' and header E two horizontal [iat plates or castings, GG', between which plates G G are placed a roller or rollers, g, allowing free relative movement ot' the plates. ln 0rder to form a close ljoint between the plates (Il and G', one of the plates, as G, is provided with flanges g', coming close to the lower snrface of the plate G', but without touching it. The said plates tl and Gurc shown as held in place upon the watcrhead A and header lil by heilig provided with suitable grooves or sockets to receive the said parts in the manner clearly shown in Fig.

H is a teedwater pipe, which I have herein shown as arranged to enter the watcr-head A' at a point above the tubes B l and below the tubes C C.

lil is a blowoil' valve connected willi the water-head A' at a point below the water tubes Il B. rlhe said water-head A' is dcsirably cxtended considerably below the water-tubes, so as to form a receptacle for mnd and sediment with which the blow-oil` valve is connected.

I isa horizontally-arranged tube or cylinder located between thc watervheads A and A', and connected with the latter by short tubes or thim bles Masaid cylinder being arrangf-.d adjacent to the upper row of water-pipes C, and

in such vertical position that the water-level ofthe boiler passes therethrough. `\\f"ithin the said cylinderis located a iloat, J, which is pret'- erably made of considerablelength in proportion to its diaineter,and is dcsirably arranged to extend from end to end of the cylinder l. The float J is sustained in position in the cylinder by means of two arms, j j, having pivotal support upon the end walls, l', o1" the cylinder l. rlhc pivotal connection between the arm j at one end of the float and the cylinderhead l'is formed by a straight pin, j', inserted in opposing recesses formed in the said head l' and in the end ot' the.arm, said recesses bcing extended only partially through thc arm and the head, so that the pinj is held from endwisc movement, while at the same time the making of any joints liable to permit the escape of Water or steam at this point is avoided. The supportiiig-arm y' ol' the float, at the opposite end ot' the latter, is pivotally supported by means of a hollow or tubular shaft, j, which extends through a stniling box or gland, l, in the end wall lol'thc cylinder to a point outside of the latter. Secured to the said shalt outside ol' the cylinfflcr isa lever, J', by means ot' which the motion ot' the float is communicated tothe cont-rolling deviceeinployed in'h'connection with the feedwater-supv ply apparatus for regulating the inflow ol' feedwater to the boiler. l have not herein shown any feed device,inasmuch as any one of annuiber of weltlinown forms of such devices may be employed, and the feed devices themselves have no bearing upon the present invention, which relates solely to features of construction IZO j* is placed a stop-cock, Ji".

of and in the boiler itself. Upon/the said lever J is placed a weight, J2, to counterbalance the weight of the float J.

Instead of attempting to make the float J steam and water tight, as heretofore common, I provide the said float in its Lipper part with an opening, j, through which steam may freely enter the said float, and in order to provide means for conveniently discharging the water which may find its way into the float by condensation of steam therein or otherwise I provide a small passage, f, leading from the bottoni of the float through the supporting-arm j to the shaftjt, which shaft is made hollow or tubular to forni a continuation of the said passage jt. Upon the outer end 'of the said shaft rIhis stop-cock is commonly kept closed; but when it is desired to discharge from the float any water which may have entered the latter the said stop-cock is opened and such water will be forced there from by the steainpressure of the boiler. The presence of water in the float at any time may be readily detected by opening the cock J rIhe float lever J is arranged to extend outwardly through a suitable opening in the furnace-wall, which opening is shown in the drawings as constructed to also afford convenient access tothe stop-cock J3. I have herein shown an open-ended metal casing or shell, K, as inserted in the furnace-wall, with its inner edges in contact with the end of the cylinder I and the thimble t, the said cylinder in this case being located adjacent to the side wall of the furnace. The said casing K prevents the heated products of combustion within the furnace from reaching the shaft j?, the gland I2, and the stop-cock, while at the same time allowing t-he said stop-cock to be reached and manipulated without opening the furnace or boiler-casing.

As a convenient means of constructing the float J, I make the latter of a straight cylinder, JL, closed at its ends by circular plates J5, screw-threaded upon their edges to enter the screw-threaded ends of the tubular body of the float. I also preferably cast the arm j integral with the head'Ji", adjacent thereto, and form the passage j* by boring endwise through the arm and crosswise through the head in the manner clearly shown in the detail section, Fig. 7. At its outer end the arm j is provided with a hub, j, having a socket to receive the tubular shaft j2, said shaft being secured therein by a set-screw in the manner shown. rlhe passagejl' is bored into the said socket, thus affording communication between the said passage and the tubular shaft.

The employment of a long float-chamber, I, located within the furnace, has the advantage of affording considerable additional heatingsurface in the boiler. rlhe use of a iioat very long in proportion to its diameter is of advantage also, inasmuch as a float of this kind' is influenced to little extent by local disturbances of the water in different parts of the float-chamber, but always maintains a position corresponding with the average level of the water at any particular time.

The boiler constructed in the manner described may be used in connection with a furnace constructed in any suitable or convenient manner. The 'furnace herein illustrated consist-s of side walls, M M, located at the sides of the several water and steamtubes, a top wall, M, extending over the top of the superheating tubes D D, and front and rear walls, M2 M3, sustaining the water-heads A A. A fire-box, N, is formed by means of a bridgewall, N. The products of combustion from the furnace are caused to take a circuitous path through or about the tubes in their passage to the exit smoke-pipe Nl by means of a horizontal position, O, extendingfrom the front water-head, A, of the boiler backwardly over the upper water-tubes, D, to a point near the rear water head, A', where it is connected with a vertical wall, O', and extends downwardly to a point beneath the lowermost row of tubes B. A second vertical wall, O2, extends from the top of the bridge-wall upwardly to a point near the horizontal partition O, spaces being left between the upper edge of the said wall O2 and the said partition O and between the bottom ot' the wall O and the door of the furnace for the passage of the dames and heated products of combustion over or around the said walls in the direction indicated bythe arrows, Fig. l. After passing to the rear of the wall O the said products of combustion pass into the space above the partition O, and then forwardly to the exit smokepipe N2, which is located near the front of the boiler. In this construction the hottest part of the flames and products of combustion coming directly from the fire are concentrated upon the water-tubes B and C, while the steam superheating-pipes D D are subjected to the action of the said heated products of combustion after the latter have passed over the water-pipes, in the manner clearly shown in the drawings.

I have herein shown the water-head A as sustained upon two metal plates, I? P, having anti-friction rollers p p between them, thereby allowing the said water-head to move freely upon the supporting-wall M3 as the tubes B B B and C C C expand and contract, these plates or rollers being made substantially like those above described as being located between the said water-head A and the header E.

I claim as my invention-- l. The combination, with the vertical water-heads A A,a series of inclined water-tubes, B B B, connected at their opposite ends with the said water-heads, and a second series of horizontal water-tubes, C C C, also connected with the said water-heads, of a horizontal oat-ehaniber, I, located between the said heads and communicating with the waterspace of the boiler, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a boiler compris- ICO IIO

IIS

ing vertical water-heads A A', and water tubes connected at their opposite ends with said heads, and a t'urnaeeeasing surrounding said boiler, of a Moat-chamber, I, connected at its opposite ends with the said heads and located at a point adjacent tothe side Wall of the boiler'easing, a iloat within said chamber, and a pivotal support lt'or the loat provided with an arin, J, extending outwardly through an opening` in t-he boiler-easing, substantially as destn'ibed.

3. lfhe combination, with a boilereasing and boiler comprising a lOatehaInber, l', of a iloat located within said chamber, a pivotal support l'or the float extending through the wall of the float/chamber and provided with an arin, J', and a shell, li, inserted in the boiler-casing and extending inwardly to and around the pivotal support ol' the ylloat at; the point where it cinerges l'roni the float-Chaniber, substantially as described.

4. .lhe combination,with the float-chamber of a, boiler, ot' afloat provided with a steamopening at its upper part, a pivotal support for the float extending through theivall ot' the lient-chamber and provided with an arxn rig idly attached to the tloat, said pivotal snpport and arnl being provided vvith a passage communicating with the interior of the float at the bottom part thereof and with the open air, and a handfvalve located in said passage ex t :massa torior to the Heat-chamber, whereby the said passage may be kept normally closed to prevent escape of steam from the boiler and may be opened at desired tinles to allow the escape Ot' water frein the float, substantially as dcseribed.

5. The combination, with a horizontallyan ranged iloatvehainber, ot` a eylindrie horizontally'arranged tloat extending through the greater part of the length ot' the said Il0atehamheigand apivotedsupporting arm or arnis for the said iloat, substantially as described.

(l. rlhe combination,with a horizontally-arrt'ingtd tloat-ehainber, of a lloat and supporting-arms l'or the iloat attached to opposite ends ofthe latter and having separate pivotal connection with opposite end walls of' the lloatehaniher, substantially as described.

7. The eoinl ination,v.'ith a horizontallyarranged iloat-ehalnber, of a oylindrie lloat con sisting ofa` hollow eylint'ler and Inetal disks or end walls seeured in the end ot' said cylinder and provided with supporting-arnls cast; in tegral therewith, substantially as described.

l'n testimony that I claiin the Vforegoing as my invention l allx niysignaturc in nesenee ol' two Witnesses.

(l ILB E l tf1. A. C() l) l S Y.

Vilit nesses:

C. (Mahnmal loonn, M'. C. AnMoUn. 

